Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Britannia Metal vs Pure Tin (Grade A)
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Britannia Metal and Pure Tin (Grade A) are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Britannia Metal is the stronger of the two: yield strength 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) against 10 MPa (1.45 ksi) for Pure Tin (Grade A), about 180% more; tensile strength follows at 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) vs 15 MPa (2.18 ksi). In exchange, Pure Tin (Grade A) is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 25% for Britannia Metal, and Britannia Metal is harder (23 HB vs 5 HB). Britannia Metal is stiffer (50 GPa vs 45 GPa) and Pure Tin (Grade A) conducts heat better (66 W/m·K vs 52 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Britannia Metal machines more easily (good vs fair).
Britannia MetalChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
Pure Tin (Grade A)Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Britannia Metal vs Pure Tin (Grade A): propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all solder & low-melting alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all solder & low-melting alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Britannia MetalPure Tin (Grade A)
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 100°C212 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.5 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Weldability 30 / 100 · Castability 90 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Water 400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every solder & low-melting alloy grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Britannia Metal | Pure Tin (Grade A) |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Britannia Metal vs Pure Tin (Grade A) — frequently asked
Is Britannia Metal stronger than Pure Tin (Grade A)?
Yes. Britannia Metal has a typical yield strength of 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) against 10 MPa (1.45 ksi) for Pure Tin (Grade A) — about 180% more. Tensile strength is 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) vs 15 MPa (2.18 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Britannia Metal or Pure Tin (Grade A)?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Britannia Metal or Pure Tin (Grade A)?
Britannia Metal. Its machinability rates good (65/100) against fair (35/100) for Pure Tin (Grade A).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Britannia Metal and Pure Tin (Grade A) side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.